Gender identity policy proposal advances in Worcester

Tuesday

Aug 5, 2014 at 6:28 PM

By Nick Kotsopoulos TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — An ordinance intended to guarantee equality for all individuals regardless of sex or gender identity or expression cleared its first hurdle Tuesday when it received the unanimous backing of the City Council Municipal Operations Committee.

The three-member committee endorsed a new ordinance that would prohibit the city from denying any person "access to any opportunity, service, program or facility, including without limitation to employment, educational and recreational opportunities, solely by reason of sex or gender identity or expression."

In addition, vendors hired by the city would be required to adopt a written gender identity policy that matches the city's, though those that do not have such a policy can apply for a waiver.

The Municipal Operations Committee also endorsed changes to the city ordinance governing the Human Rights Commission so it includes gender identity and sexual orientation, genetic information and ancestry as classes entitled to equal treatment under the city human rights policy.

It also includes "accommodations and employment opportunities" among the benefits to which people shall receive equal access under the city's policy.

Jayna Turchek, the city's director of human rights and disabilities, said the ordinance and amendment are an attempt to make sure the city complies with all civil rights laws and offers equal protection to all residents.

District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, committee chairman, called the action an important first step to ensure that all residents and employees in the city of Worcester are treated with respect and equality.

"The city is once again moving in a direction that is symbolic of what Worcester stands for: fairness to everyone," Mr. Palmieri said.

The action is part of a larger city effort to demonstrate and affirm that Worcester is a welcoming community for individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, in light of the ranking it received from a nationwide group working to achieve equality for LGBT Americans.

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest civil rights organization that advocates on behalf of the LGBT community, created an index that examines the laws, policies and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there.

Last year, the group gave Worcester a score of 55 out of 100 in its Municipal Equality Index.

John Trobaugh, president of Worcester Pride, the largest organization representing the LGBT community in Central Massachusetts, said he approached City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. soon after he became the city's chief executive in January and offered to work with his administration on improving the city's equality score.

"He told me the city would get to 100 percent and it looks like that's going to happen," he said. "This would not happen if Worcester was not a welcoming place. I feel this legislation is the right language; it covers a broad spectrum of people. This really sets the bar high and will send a really strong message to the community."

Chris Robarge, Central Massachusetts field coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said the new ordinance and amendment to the existing Human Rights Commission ordinance fill in the gaps created by federal and state civil rights laws.

He said Salem and Somerville have passed similar ordinances.

"I'm happy to see Worcester in the forefront on this," Mr. Robarge said. "With this, Worcester will become a more equal and inclusive city."

The committee's recommendation goes before the entire City Council for its consideration on Aug. 19.

Contact Nick Kotsopoulos at nicholas.kotsopoulos@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @NCKotsopoulos